The Importance of School Districts to HomebuyersPosted May 11, 2014

Parents with school aged children know the importance of quality schools and being able to purchase a home in a good school district. This usually ranks high on the wanted list when looking for a home. The quality of school districts should also matter to potential homebuyers who have no children. This is because school districts can increase home prices and positively influence the homebuyer's investment.

Relying on the proximity of a house to a neighborhood school is a common mistake homebuyers make. So what is the best way to verify the specific school district of a property you are interested in buying? Because district boundaries may not be particularly clear, prospective homeowners can start with the actual real estate listing or ask the current homeowners.

Because districting can change, the school district can also be contacted to verify that the home is definitely part of their designated territory. If not, this would be the best time to find out the actual district location. Relying on a map or a website that could be outdated is not advisable.

The district staff can be contacted in order to determine if any future redistricting is planned for that specific area. There could also be policies in place that require students in certain areas to be bused to other districts. If you have additional questions, this would be the best time to ask - before committing to a house.

A school district that places a lot of emphasis on education is impressive. Purchasing a home in a school district that will positively influence the value of your investment and make it more attractive to future homebuyers is important too.